Bangladesh closing in on historic win in Colombo

jamuna sports desk: With their highest run-scorer in Test cricket Tamim Iqbal looking in fine fettle against all comers, and ably supported by promising youngster Shabbir Ahmed, Bangladesh are inching ever closer to what would be a historic win against Sri Lanaka on day 5 of the ongoing 2nd and last match of the Joy Bangla Cup series at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.

Halfway through the 2nd session of the day, the Tigers chasing 191 to win had reached 115/2 on the back of the unbroken 93-run partnership between Tamim and Shabbir, after Lankan spin legend had set nerves jangling with a wicked 2-wicket burst to get rid of Soumya Sarkar and Imrul Kayes prior to lunch. There followed a torrid half hour or so till lunch was taken, with Bangladesh still a bit wobbly in their chase at 38/2.

But that was to be the hardest passage they had to endure, and since coming out for the 2nd session, both batsmen reaped the dividends of their early grafting, as the runs started to flow.Sri Lanka's bowlers looked spent, and Tamiam and SHabbir have made hay, literally as the sun shone in the first hour of the post-lunch session.

Tamim(73) and Sabbir Rahman (31) are now batting in the 3rd wicket contributing 93 in 24 overs when Bangladesh's need another 76 runs with 8 wickets in hand as the side collected 115/2 in 32 overs after lunch.